POTTSTOWN — Police uncovered a family-oriented theft ring that targeted local Walmart and Best Buy stores in December after a traffic stop and foot chase on Dec. 29, 2012.

Shawn Jones, 21, Regina Jones, 23, William Littlejohn, 28, all of Pottstown, and Jasmine Andino, 22, of Norristown, have been charged with corrupt organization and related charges for their part in the retail thefts. Two other suspects, Kaleena Holley, of Pottstown and an unidentified man who goes by the name of “Awax,” are wanted by police for their alleged roles in the theft ring.

Police were alerted to the retail theft ring when Sgt. Thomas McCloy saw a gold Cadillac DeVille matching the description of a car used in a theft earlier on Dec. 29, 2012, traveling west on East High Street. McCloy attempted to conduct a traffic stop when the car started to drive erratically and failed to stop for law enforcement, police said.

When the vehicle stopped on North Hanover Street, Shawn Jones exited the car and fled on foot, police said. The car continued another 200 feet then stopped and Littlejohn also fled, according to police. Both men were captured not long after the incident.

Advertisement

During an interview after the arrest, both men admitted to being a part of the theft at the Walmart on Shoemaker Road in Pottstown on Dec. 29 and consented to a search of the vehicle, police said.

Littlejohn also admitted to being a part of a theft at the same Walmart on Dec. 27, police said.

Regina Jones’ and Holley’s involvement in the theft ring became known when Lower Pottsgrove Police responded to a vehicle accident on Dec. 28, police documents said. The vehicle involved matched the description of one used during a theft at Best Buy the night before, police said. Regina Jones, Kaleena Holley and Christina Robinson occupied the vehicle, police said.

At that time, Regina Jones allegedly admitted to police that she was at Best Buy the night before. She also told police that Andino was with her during the alleged theft, police said.

Regina Jones later told Pottstown police in another interview that Shawn Jones, Littlejohn and Andino, along with Holley, were storing stolen merchandise at her residence at 2120 Buchert Road in Lower Pottsgrove with the purpose of reselling the items to local pawn shops or on the street, according to court documents.

Regina Jones also told police that “Awax” drove her and Andino to stores to commit retail thefts on Dec. 27 in the blue Dodge Caravan that was involved in the accident on Dec. 29, according to court documents.

Through further investigation, police learned that the five suspects allegedly stole $6,041.96 worth of electronics from area Walmart and Best Buy stores over three days. Among the stolen items were Vizio flat screen televisions, HP desktop computers, a printer and four lap tops, according to police.

Some of the crimes were captured on video surveillance at Walmart and Best Buy, police said. The suspects can be seen in the videos entering the stores, placing items in carts and walking out, police documents said. These videos helped police identify the cars used in the thefts, police said.

In one incident, Andino and Regina Jones were in the Best Buy in Upland Square in West Pottsgrove when Regina Jones dropped two lap tops after Andino set off the security alarm, according to police.

When police questioned Andino after the accident on Dec. 27, she used the name Lisa Fuller and is now being charged with giving police false identification, along with her other charges, police said.

“Crimes like this are becoming more prevalent,” Pottstown Police Detective Heather Jones said.

Andino was released on $25,000 unsecured bail and Regina Jones was released on $10,000 unsecured bail. Littlejohn and Shawn Jones are being held at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of bail.

All four suspects have preliminary hearings set for Jan. 25.

Pottstown police ask anyone with information about the whereabouts of Kaleena Holley or a man that goes by the name of “Awax” to call 610-970-6572.